THE police in Berbice have beefed up security for the Christmas holidays and last month unveiled its plans for the season, which include more foot and mobile patrols across the county. Acting Commander, Senior Superintendent Kevin Adonis and other senior officers met with representatives of the business community, and the media, to highlight the increased policing activity which commenced on November 15, and will conclude on January 15, 2017, at the conclusion of the festive season.
Divisional Detective Deputy Superintendent Gary Mc Allister noted that some challenges faced by the Criminal Investigation Department includes victims’ reluctance to give written statements and attend identification parades.
Consequently, some cases remain unresolved and the investigators are often blamed for poor investigations .
Further, he lashed out at the business community, which, sometimes lacks cooperation , especially when a request is made to view the footage from a security camera, in an effort to solve a crime.
“If they do supply the footage, the quality is often of a low quality, making it virtually impossible to identify the respective images.” Additionally, citizens are not securing their home properly, thus allowing intruders easy access.However, despite the challenges, there has been a 23% reduction of crime in the division, he reiterated.
Earlier, Commander Adonis noted, that Break and enter and Larceny ,Robbery under Arms, Rape and Burglary , were some of the offences which were high on the graph drafted by the IT staff; however, the division has recorded a 22% decrease in reports compared to the period 2015 to 2016.
Further, there has been a 31% increase in cases made, compared with 2015 and the current year, and of the cases prosecuted, 23% were concluded in 2015, and 43% were completed in the current year .There was no report of kidnapping for 2016.
With respect to traffic, there has been an increase in serious accidents, with this year recording 79,compared with 63 for the corresponding period last year.
There were 12 fatal accidents, along with 76 minor, and 87 damage accidents, respectively
In the meantime , the local Traffic Chief, Superintendent Budnarine Persaud, said 630 persons were charged with driving under the influence , and there was a 60% conviction rate, while many drivers’ licences were endorsed by the respective magistrates.
The unveiling of the two-month Christmas Policing plan at Divisional Headquarters in New Amsterdam, is aimed at minimi
zing the occurrence of, criminal activities, traffic accidents, traffic congestion, and to foster closer relations with members of the public.
It is anticipated that there will be an increase in business activities and increase in traffic accidents , congestion along with vehicles and pedestrians along the many roadways.
As a result, over 300 ranks inclusive of Neighbourhood Police, along with 45 vehicles, inclusive of 22 motorcycles and 12 motor pickups, will be deployed on the roadways of the ‘Ancient County’, allowing the citizenry to experience an accident-free holiday period.
There is also provision for marine patrols , with ranks having access to one (1) 35-foot, fibre-glass boat with a 90- horsepower Yamaha outboard engine for riverain checks in the Canje Creek and Berbice River areas. Adonis said that there is also another 40-foot, fibre glass boat with an out-of-order 150 horsepower Yamaha outboard engine .
Adonis, who is acting for the substantive commander Ian Amsterdam, who is expected to resume duties this month, told those gathered, that as Christmas draws closer, there would be an increase in the foot and mobile patrols and road blocks will be at strategic points, based on intelligence received.
In addition, special focus will be on the New Amsterdam shopping areas, the New Amsterdam and Rosignol ferry stellings, the Berbice River Bridge, Port Mourant and Rosignol markets, Rose Hall Town, and Number 78 Village.
‘In addition , the spotlight will also be on travellers traversing from Suriname to Moleson Creek and along the porous borderline.
The Berbice Top cop said the residents in the division, which covers Abary, Mahaciony to Orealla, and the Corentyne River, has had a close relationship with the police which continues to hold community outreach programmes monthly .
Meanwhile, those present at the hour-long briefing , during which period snacks were served , included Deputy Commander Superintendent K. Simon , Superintendent K. Williams, Deputy Superintendent Guy Nurse, Woman Inspector Y. Stephens, and Inspector E. Davidson .